Obama, McCain called 'the Odd Candidates'

WASHINGTON, June 9 (UPI) -- An analysis of the presumptive U.S. presidential contest between Barack Obama and John McCain published Monday says it is one of style as well as substance.

The Politico Web site said the older U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is an extrovert who takes his greatest pleasure in surrounding himself with Senate colleagues, aides and even reporters, while the younger U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., is much cooler in temperament and taste, preferring to read from texts rather than speaking extemporaneously.

Calling them "the Odd Candidates," the Politico's analysis said Obama can be aloof and is rarely seen as being very high or low, while McCain is a former military man who enjoys the rough-and-tumble of an argument and can display a short fuse.

Their tastes also vary widely, the Politico said, ranging from McCain's love of Henny Youngman jokes and the 1970s pop of Swedish group ABBA to Obama's professed affection for hip-hop, current R&B stars and classic performers like Stevie Wonder.

As for political styles, McCain prefers smaller, town hall-style settings where he can find audience members who will engage in a back-and-forth conversation, while Obama is better at addressing huge crowds in cavernous arenas, delivering "big message" speeches, the Politico said.